Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 5/21/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Location: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+170) Hurricanes (-205)

The Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7) will take on the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) at Lenovo Center on Thursday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The odds on this game have the Canadiens at +170 while the Hurricanes are priced at -205. The total is 5.5.

The Montreal Canadiens won Game 7 against the Sabres by a 3-2 score in overtime. The Canadiens had a middle of the road offensive output in the win. For the matchup, they converted 3 out of the 25 shots they looked to score on. In addition, they had 1 power play opportunity and scored 1 goal. Montreal recorded 2 penalty minutes for this contest.

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When discussing their scoring capabilities, the Montreal Canadiens have racked up 279 goals (7th in the league) this season and have conceded 251. For the current season, they have recorded 106 points and their points percentage sits at .646. Montreal has accumulated 242 power play chances and they have tallied 56 goals during those chances, garnering them a percentage of 23.14%. At even strength, the Canadiens let the opposition score 197 goals while notching 223 on the offensive side of the ice. Montreal has taken 2,156 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.9%. The Canadiens have had 2,283 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .890. Montreal Canadiens opponents have amassed 248 power play tries (8th in hockey) and have a total of 54 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Jakub Dobes. Over the course of his pro career, Dobes has tallied 35 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .614. He has a save percentage of .904 during his 953 minutes in the crease. Dobes has seen 1,627 shots against him and he has 1,470 saves. Opponents have racked up 157 goals against Dobes in his pro career and his goals against average is 2.75. He has a record of 36-14-7 and he has gotten the start in 57 games. Dobes has taken the ice for 59 matchups during his professional hockey career.

When they were on the ice 11 days ago, Carolina swept the Flyers after winning Game 4 by a score of 3-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest but were not able to net one. The Hurricanes had 3 goals out of the 40 shots on goal they pursued.

So far this year, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned a total of 291 goals, 113 points, in addition to a points percentage of .689. They have permitted 236 goals to be scored by of a combination of 191 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Hurricanes have 231 goals at even strength and 60 goals (5th in hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 241 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 24.90%. Carolina has attempted 2,637 shots (2nd in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.04%, while allowing the other team 1,961 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 80.52% on their opponents 231 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.0%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Frederik Andersen protecting the goal. He has accounted for 14,476 saves out of 15,856 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .913. Andersen has earned a career record of 324-149-58 and has participated in 552 games. He has started in 538 contests and has played for a total of 27,489 minutes. Andersen's rate of quality starts comes in at 55.9% and he has qualified for 301 quality starts in his professional career. His opposition is averaging 2.57 goals/game and he has yielded 1,380 goals overall.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Montreal (+170)

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